Fan structure convertible between desk type and floor type

ABSTRACT

A fan structure is disclosed to include a base member having a socket at the center, a fan assembly, a first support member connected to the fan assembly and having a bottom stub tube insertable into the socket of the base member and lockable thereto by a screw member to support the fan assembly above the base member for use as a desk fan, and a second support member selectively connectable between the bottom stub tube of the first support member and the socket of the base member to support the fan assembly and the first support member above the base member for use a floor fan.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electrical fans and more particularly, to a fan structure that can be alternately arranged into two different modes for use as a desk fan or floor fan.

2. Description of the Related Art

In hot summer, electrical fans are intensively used everywhere for cooling. Different types of electrical fans are commercially available for use in different situations. Normally, floor fans provide high-velocity air movement and are great for both residential and industrial applications. The fan blade of a floor fan is kept at a high elevation above the floor, practical for providing currents of air to human bodies. Further, a desk fan has a relatively smaller height when compared to a floor fan. In a desk fan, the distance between the fan blade and the base member (stand) is short. For different application purposes, different types of electrical fans may be used. However, it is expensive to prepare different electrical fans. Storage of different electrical fans is anther problem to be considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a fan structure, which can be alternately arranged into two different modes for use as a desk fan or floor fan.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a fan structure comprises a fan assembly, which comprises a fan blade and a fan motor adapted to rotate the fan blade; a base member for positioning on a bearing surface, which comprises a top wall and a socket located on the center thereof, the socket having a top opening formed in the top wall, a bottom opening opposite to the top opening and a slot cut through the periphery thereof in communication with the top opening; a first support member connected to the fan assembly for connection to the base member, which comprises a bottom stub tube insertable into the socket of the base member and a screw hole extending through the periphery thereof in communication with the space inside the bottom stub tube; a second support member connectable between the bottom stub tube of the first support member and the socket of the base member to support the fan assembly and the first support member on the base member, the second support member comprising a first connection rod and a second connection rod respectively extended from top and bottom ends thereof, the first connection rod being insertable into the bottom stub tube of the first support member, the second connection rod being insertable into the socket of the base member, the second connection rod having an outer thread extending around the periphery thereof; a screw member adapted for threading into the screw hole to lock the first support member to the base member after insertion of the bottom stub tube of the first support member into the socket of the base member, or to lock the second support member to the first support member after insertion of the first connection rod of the first support member into the bottom stub tube of the first support member; and a lock nut for threading onto the outer thread of the second connection rod of the second support member to lock the second support member to the base member after insertion of the second connection rod of the second support member into the socket of the base member. Thus, the first support member can be directly fastened to the base member to support the fan assembly above the base member for use as a desk fan. Alternatively, the second support member can be used and connected between the first support member and the base member to support the fan assembly and the first support member above the base member for use as a floor fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fan structure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view, showing an installation status of the fan structure in the form of a floor fan.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view, showing an installation status of the fan structure in the form of a desk fan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a fan structure in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a fan assembly 1, a base member 2, a first support member 3 and a second support member 4.

The fan assembly 1 comprises a fan blade 11, and a fan motor 12 adapted to rotate the fan blade 11. It is to be understood that the fan assembly 1 further comprises a fan guard and other accessories (not shown). However, because these fan protective component parts are of the known art and not within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, no further detailed description in this regard is necessary.

The base member 2 is a flat, disk-like member for positioning on a bearing surface (floor or table top), having a top wall 20, and a socket 21 disposed at the center. The socket 21 has a top located on the center of the top wall 20 has a top opening 211 formed in the top wall 20, and a bottom opening 212 opposite to and in communication with the top opening 211.

The first support member 3 is connected to the fan assembly 1 and adapted to support the fan assembly 1 above the base member 2, having a bottom stub tube 31, a protrusion 32 perpendicularly protruded from the periphery of the bottom stub tube 31 and a screw hole 33 extending through the protrusion 32 in communication with the space inside the bottom stub tube 31. Further, a screw member 34 is threaded into the screw hole 33. Further, as an alternate form of the present invention, the protrusion 32 can be omitted and, the screw hole 33 can be directly formed in the peripheral wall of the bottom stub tube 31.

The second support member 4 has a first connection rod 41 and a second connection rod 42 respectively extended from the top and bottom ends thereof. The first connection rod 41 is insertable into the bottom stub tube 31 of the first support member 3. The second connection rod 42 is insertable into the socket 21 of the base member 2, having an outer thread 43 extending around the periphery. A lock nut 44 is provided for threading onto the outer thread 43 of the second connection rod 42.

When using the fan structure as a floor fan, insert the first connection rod 41 of the second support member 4 into the bottom stub tube 31 of the first support member 3, and then thread the screw member 34 into the screw hole 33 of the protrusion 32 to lock the first connection rod 41 and the bottom stub tube 31. Further, the first connection rod 41 has a locating groove 45 extending around the periphery for the engagement of the screw member 34 to enhance the connection between the first connection rod 41 and the bottom stub tube 31. Thereafter, insert the second connection rod 42 into the socket 21 of the base member 2, and then thread the lock nut 44 onto the outer thread 43 of the second connection rod 42 to lock the second support member 4 to the base member 2.

When using the fan structure as a desk fan, the second support member 4 is not used. At this time, insert the bottom stub tube 31 of the first support member 3 through the top opening 211 into the socket 21 of the base member 2 to engage the protrusion 32 into a slot 22 of the socket 21, and then thread the screw member 34 into the screw hole 33 to let the screw member 34 be positively stopped at the bottom side of the base member 2. Thus, the fan assembly 1 is supported on the base member 2 by the first support member 3 for use as a desk fan. Because the second support member 4 is not used, the distance between the fan assembly 1 and the base member 2 is relatively shorter, fitting for desk top application.

Subject to the aforesaid structural design, the fan structure can be alternatively arranged into two different modes for use as a desk fan or floor fan, having economic effects.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A fan structure, comprising: a fan assembly, said fan assembly comprising a fan blade and a fan motor adapted to rotate said fan blade; a base member for positioning on a bearing surface, said base member having a top wall, a socket located on the center thereof, said socket having a top opening formed in said top wall, a bottom opening opposite to said top opening and a slot cut through the periphery thereof in communication with said top opening; a first support member connected to said fan assembly for connection to said base member, said first support member having a bottom stub tube insertable into said socket of said base member and a screw hole extending through the periphery thereof in communication with the space inside said bottom stub tube; a second support member connectable between said bottom stub tube of said first support member and said socket of said base member to support said fan assembly and said first support member on said base member, said second support member comprising a first connection rod and a second connection rod respectively extended from top and bottom ends thereof, said first connection rod being insertable into said bottom stub tube of said first support member, said second connection rod being insertable into said socket of said base member, said second connection rod having an outer thread extending around the periphery thereof; a screw member adapted for threading into said screw hole to lock said first support member to said base member after insertion of said bottom stub tube of said first support member into said socket of said base member, or to lock said second support member to said first support member after insertion of said first connection rod of said first support member into said bottom stub tube of said first support member; and a lock nut for threading onto said outer thread of said second connection rod of said second support member to lock said second support member to said base member after insertion of said second connection rod of said second support member into said socket of said base member.
 2. The fan structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first connection rod of said second support member has a locating groove extending around the periphery thereof for the engagement of said screw member. 